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Grand Festival.
fulfilment of Masonic offices tor a period of fifteen years . Well , now I think that is about as good a recommendation as can be given to any brother in the Craft—three times Master of his lodge , an officer for the period I have named . I
am confident that you will to-night give to him , and to the rest of the Grand Officers , that cordial reception whicii you have always given to the officers of this Grand Lodge at Grand Festival .
Lonl Tenterden in reply , said : No one can regret more than I do the absence of the able and practised orator , who would , had his health permitted , have returned thanks for the toast
which has just been proposed . I am sure it must be a satisfaction to you all , as it is a satisfaction to us , the Grand Officers , who are his colleagues , to hear from our Most Worshipful Grand Master that the Earl of Carnarvon ' s health
is progressing rapidly to recovery . ( Hear , hear . ) Our Most Worshipful Grand Alaster has justsaid , speaking of myself , that which is eminently true of himself , and eminently true of my hon friend , the Junior Grand Warden , this evening , that very few of us can enjoy those charms
of leisme which we have just heard so sweetly sung . ( Mendelssohn ' s glee , " Oh hills , oh vales of pleasure , " had just been sung ) . We have most of us duties to perform . 1 believe there is scarcely a Grand Officer who is coming up with me this evening who is not a busy man ,
one way or the other . We have many anxious duties , but we think we have a paramount duty to our Craft . Why are we here , and why are you here this evening , and why are we celebrating this great annual Festival of our Fraternity . It is not , I am sure , because we wish to
to enjoy together the passing pleasures of the banquet—to be knife-and-fork Masons—it is not merely for the sake of keeping up , however well they may be organised , certain excellent charities ; it is because we feel—I feel , and I am sure all those around me feel—that Freemasonry is
something more than a mere name ; it is something more than being addressed by splendid titles , and being dressed in a gorgeous uniform ; it is what we , in these happy days , scarcely appreciate . We live now , thank God ! in a country which enjoys the greatest blessings of civil and
religious liberty ; but it was not always so ; it is not so now , unhappily , throughout the whole world ; and I say , that it is something for our Institution to be able to boast that in past centuries , and at this present lime it atfords a neutral ground , in which polemics and politics can
be forgotten , in which the east and west can shake the hand of friendship . Brethren , it is that which has induced me for many years to take anactive participation in the working ofthe Craft , and that not merely in attendance at the meetings , but an anxious wish to keep up and
preserve the most interesting and imposing ritual of our Order . It is that which is the real strength and backbone of Freemasonry ; it is for that which we rejoice this evening . We have heard from our Alost Worshipful ( irand Master how Freemasonry is thriving in England . I am happy to say it is everywhere so . ( Jn the other side
ofthe Atlantic , indeed , there is scarcely a country in which it is not thriving , whether on the Continent of Europe , or in the East . We have had this evening , though he is not here now , the Representative of the far distant Kmpire of Persia , and it may be interesting to some of you to know that I believe I had the honour of
receiving and initiating his predecessor m the lodge to which I had the pleasure of belonging . I will not detain you further . I think I have given , what at all events to us appears , and 1 trust to the world , will be considered a sufficient reason why we meet here this evening . We see
the Craft prosperous in Scotland ; it is the same in Canada , in Australia . I can tell you from my own personal experience , it is the same in all foreign countries . We see the same increasing prosperity of the Craft throughout the world , and it is because we feel that there is one
institution , permeating throughout the whole world , in whicii we can meet on the level , and part on the square . The Grand Master : 1 rise now to ask you to drink to " The Health of the sister Grand Lodges of Scotland and Ireland . " Brotherl y Love is one of the first principles of Masonrv , and it is
Grand Festival.
right , indeed , that we should hold out the hand of fellowship to the Grand Lodges of the other portions of the United Kingdom . We arc today honoured by the presence of the Ri ght Worshipful the Provincial Grand Master of East Aberdeenshire . I rejoice to think that a brother
holding high office in so distant a part of thc country , should have done us the honour to eome amongst us on this occasion . I am sure that I rightly interpret your feelings , when I heartil y wish him a welcome to this Grand Lodge . I am confident vou all feel that the closer we can
draw those bonds of fraternity which should unite us to the Grand Lodges of Scotland and Ireland the better for the interests of the Craft ; and I ask you , therefore , the representatives of English Masonry , heartily to greet the Provincial Grand Master of East Aberdeenshire .
The Grand Master for East Aberdeenshire It is extremely gratifying forone of a sister Grand Lodge to hear the very kind and fraternal terms in which you have expressed your feelings , to the Grand Lodges of Scotland and Ireland . I suppose I may say Ireland , as I see no other
representative of a sister Grand Lodge . I can assure you all , the fraternal feeling , affection , and regard which you extend toward towards us is reciprocated by the Grand Lodge of Scotland , and I am sure it is by the Grand Lodge of Ireland . It is extremely gratifying to me to come here to-night , and receive the very fraternal greeting
with whicii you have honoured me . At all times it is our wish and endeavour to extend that friendship and fellowship , which has always been extended by Freemasons to Freemasons . I thank you most sincerel y for the very kind way in whicii you have expressed yourself , Most Worshipful Grand Master .
Ihe Grand Master : I now ask you to join with me in drinking " The Health of the Provincial Grand Masters of England . " I am indeed happy to propose that toast , because I should be ungrateful if I did not avail myself of the opportunity which it afford me to return my sincere
thanks to the Prov . Grand Masters , thoughout the country , for the zealous and effectual assistance which the ) - alford to me in the government of the Craft . As 1 said a short time ago , . . . o J the prosperity of Masonry is only to be measured by its general prosperity throughout the
country , and that prosperity depends not so much upon central action as upon the prevalence in each locality of a truly Masonic spirit . That spirit is nourished in the first place , by those foundation stones of our Masonic building , the private lodges , and it is cemented and bound
together by the influence of the Provincial Grand Lodges , and by thoso who preside over the brethren . I ask you to drink to "The Health ol Prov . Grand Masters of Kngland , " and I couple with it the name of my right worshipful friend upon my left , Bro . Beach , the Prov . Grand
Master of Hampshire and the Isle of Wi ght , to whom I am bound to-night , in the presence of this Grand Lodge , to return my most sincere and heartfelt thanks for the very warm and hearty reception which he afforded to myself and other members of Grand Lodge on Tuesday at
our \ isit to Southampton . Bro . W . W . B . Beach : Accept my warm and earnest thanks for the very kind manner in which you , Most Worshipful Grand Master , have jiroposed , and you , brethren , have received this toast . I can assure the Grand Master that it is
onr pride , as it is our duty , to represent him to the extent of our ability in the provinces which he has assigned to us : and probably no Provincial Grand Master has such cause as I have to congratulate himself upon the visit of the ( irand Master in person , to encourage Freemasonry in
his province , and to animate the Masons by his example , and b y his presence . Lodges have increased in the provinces , as the Grand Master has said , but they have increased only because the members of the jiresent lodges have swelled beyond the fair proportions of its numbers , and I feel certain that the brethren who have
established and formed the constitutuent parts ofthe new lodges are sole } - impelled by the desire to extend the blessings of Freemasonry ( hear , hear ) . I will only say that it will be our duty to do our best to see that those principles are carried out , and I trust , in conclusion , thanking you most sincerely , that the Grand Master will be encouraged
Grand Festival.
by his reception in the south to think that among the lessons inculcated and practised by the brethren , loyalty to our Masonic chief is not neglected . The Grand Master : —I am almost afraid that you must by this time be pretty well tired of
the sound of my voice ( " No , no . " ) , but I am quite sure that you will , at all events , accord to me your approval , when you know that the toast that I am now about to submit to you is " Prosperity to the Masonic Charities . " We boast of the support which those great institutions
receive from our ancient Craft . No doubt much has been done , especiall y of late years , to increase the efficiency of those great charitable institutions ; but we must all remember this , that the very fact that we are accustomed , when we are talking- to those who are not Masons , to
point to those Charities as the proof of the value of Freemasonry , imposes upon us an everincreasing obligation to maintain those Charities in the utmost efficiency . Every such institution in this land is now submitted to searching examination on thc part of the public . If we boast
of our Charities , we may be sure that the outer world will look occasionally at tlieir real condition , and weigh well the support whicii they receive at our hands ; and it therefore becomes us not merely to toast them upon occasions like this , but to back up the sentiments that we are
ever ready to cheer by the substantial support which comes out of our pockets . I know well that you are read y to listen to ajijieals of that kind , and therefore it is without fear that this toast will prove a happy one , that I ask you to drink " Prosperity to the Masonic Charities . " 1 couple with it the name of Bro . M'Intyre .
Bro . vE . J . M'Intyre , Q . C . : I assure you it is a very pleasing act to return thanks for the toast which has just been proposed . The Masonic Charities have commended themselves to every brother of our Order , and every one knows that every sixpence that is advanced for
the good of the Charities is expended well in the education of the younger members , and for the relief , of suffering old members of the Craft . I do not know why my name has been coupled with this toast , because I have done very little indeed for the advancement of the
Charities of our Order . Perhaps it was meant as a hint that I ought to do more . Whether that be so or not I shall take the hint , and I shall do as much as I can : but I am quite certain of this , that there is no exordium , no peoration , and nothing needed to tell the . fraternal Order to whicii we belong , that we are bound to support the
Masonic Charities . They have been supported well , the ) ' will be supported , and I am quite certain that while we have a Grand Master who gives his great name to the support of our Charities , they will—what has been done before—go on prospering , and that we shall be able to keej ) up the old name that we have , and that the Masonic Charities shall never be neglected .
The Grand Master then propo-ed " the Health of the Stewards , " to which Bro . Nettleship , responded .
Ihe Grand Alaster having given the last toast " The Ladies , " the part } ' then repaired to the Temple , where a superb concert was given under the direction of Bro . Wilhelm Ganz , Grand Org . ;
and in whicii Mdlle . Carole , Miss Banks , Miss Alice Fairman , Bros . Geo . Perren , Carl Stepan , Caravoglia , and Miss Nannie E . Praeger , took jiart . Herr Hugo Heermann performed on the violin .
The arrangements of the evening were perfect , and reflected the greatest credit on the Grand Stewards , of whom the following is a list : — Bros . Wm . Henry Trego , President , i ; Wm . Fras . Nettleship , Treasurer , 14 ; Edward Lewis , Secrelan / , 8 ; George Scharf , F . S . A ., 2 ; W . Fredk .
Teevan , 4 ; Robert Percy Middlemist , 5 ; Hy . Enderby Paton , 6 ; Thos . Davies Sewell , 21 ; Fredk . Chas . Wm . Brandt , 2 . 3 ; Thos . Threlfall , 26 ; Frederick Clark , 29 ; William Whitley ,. 46 ; Geo . Hy . Ogston , 58 , Fras . Kerridge Munton ,
60 ; Lorenz Johannes 1 ' rost , 91 ; Thomas Walls Stephens , 99 ; Wm . Cunningham Glen , 197 ; Thomas Dolling Bolton , 2 5 9 . Bro . T . H . Edmands also gave valuable assistance in looking after the comfort ofthe Visitors . Mr . Goodchild was an able Toast Master .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Grand Festival.
fulfilment of Masonic offices tor a period of fifteen years . Well , now I think that is about as good a recommendation as can be given to any brother in the Craft—three times Master of his lodge , an officer for the period I have named . I
am confident that you will to-night give to him , and to the rest of the Grand Officers , that cordial reception whicii you have always given to the officers of this Grand Lodge at Grand Festival .
Lonl Tenterden in reply , said : No one can regret more than I do the absence of the able and practised orator , who would , had his health permitted , have returned thanks for the toast
which has just been proposed . I am sure it must be a satisfaction to you all , as it is a satisfaction to us , the Grand Officers , who are his colleagues , to hear from our Most Worshipful Grand Master that the Earl of Carnarvon ' s health
is progressing rapidly to recovery . ( Hear , hear . ) Our Most Worshipful Grand Alaster has justsaid , speaking of myself , that which is eminently true of himself , and eminently true of my hon friend , the Junior Grand Warden , this evening , that very few of us can enjoy those charms
of leisme which we have just heard so sweetly sung . ( Mendelssohn ' s glee , " Oh hills , oh vales of pleasure , " had just been sung ) . We have most of us duties to perform . 1 believe there is scarcely a Grand Officer who is coming up with me this evening who is not a busy man ,
one way or the other . We have many anxious duties , but we think we have a paramount duty to our Craft . Why are we here , and why are you here this evening , and why are we celebrating this great annual Festival of our Fraternity . It is not , I am sure , because we wish to
to enjoy together the passing pleasures of the banquet—to be knife-and-fork Masons—it is not merely for the sake of keeping up , however well they may be organised , certain excellent charities ; it is because we feel—I feel , and I am sure all those around me feel—that Freemasonry is
something more than a mere name ; it is something more than being addressed by splendid titles , and being dressed in a gorgeous uniform ; it is what we , in these happy days , scarcely appreciate . We live now , thank God ! in a country which enjoys the greatest blessings of civil and
religious liberty ; but it was not always so ; it is not so now , unhappily , throughout the whole world ; and I say , that it is something for our Institution to be able to boast that in past centuries , and at this present lime it atfords a neutral ground , in which polemics and politics can
be forgotten , in which the east and west can shake the hand of friendship . Brethren , it is that which has induced me for many years to take anactive participation in the working ofthe Craft , and that not merely in attendance at the meetings , but an anxious wish to keep up and
preserve the most interesting and imposing ritual of our Order . It is that which is the real strength and backbone of Freemasonry ; it is for that which we rejoice this evening . We have heard from our Alost Worshipful ( irand Master how Freemasonry is thriving in England . I am happy to say it is everywhere so . ( Jn the other side
ofthe Atlantic , indeed , there is scarcely a country in which it is not thriving , whether on the Continent of Europe , or in the East . We have had this evening , though he is not here now , the Representative of the far distant Kmpire of Persia , and it may be interesting to some of you to know that I believe I had the honour of
receiving and initiating his predecessor m the lodge to which I had the pleasure of belonging . I will not detain you further . I think I have given , what at all events to us appears , and 1 trust to the world , will be considered a sufficient reason why we meet here this evening . We see
the Craft prosperous in Scotland ; it is the same in Canada , in Australia . I can tell you from my own personal experience , it is the same in all foreign countries . We see the same increasing prosperity of the Craft throughout the world , and it is because we feel that there is one
institution , permeating throughout the whole world , in whicii we can meet on the level , and part on the square . The Grand Master : 1 rise now to ask you to drink to " The Health of the sister Grand Lodges of Scotland and Ireland . " Brotherl y Love is one of the first principles of Masonrv , and it is
Grand Festival.
right , indeed , that we should hold out the hand of fellowship to the Grand Lodges of the other portions of the United Kingdom . We arc today honoured by the presence of the Ri ght Worshipful the Provincial Grand Master of East Aberdeenshire . I rejoice to think that a brother
holding high office in so distant a part of thc country , should have done us the honour to eome amongst us on this occasion . I am sure that I rightly interpret your feelings , when I heartil y wish him a welcome to this Grand Lodge . I am confident vou all feel that the closer we can
draw those bonds of fraternity which should unite us to the Grand Lodges of Scotland and Ireland the better for the interests of the Craft ; and I ask you , therefore , the representatives of English Masonry , heartily to greet the Provincial Grand Master of East Aberdeenshire .
The Grand Master for East Aberdeenshire It is extremely gratifying forone of a sister Grand Lodge to hear the very kind and fraternal terms in which you have expressed your feelings , to the Grand Lodges of Scotland and Ireland . I suppose I may say Ireland , as I see no other
representative of a sister Grand Lodge . I can assure you all , the fraternal feeling , affection , and regard which you extend toward towards us is reciprocated by the Grand Lodge of Scotland , and I am sure it is by the Grand Lodge of Ireland . It is extremely gratifying to me to come here to-night , and receive the very fraternal greeting
with whicii you have honoured me . At all times it is our wish and endeavour to extend that friendship and fellowship , which has always been extended by Freemasons to Freemasons . I thank you most sincerel y for the very kind way in whicii you have expressed yourself , Most Worshipful Grand Master .
Ihe Grand Master : I now ask you to join with me in drinking " The Health of the Provincial Grand Masters of England . " I am indeed happy to propose that toast , because I should be ungrateful if I did not avail myself of the opportunity which it afford me to return my sincere
thanks to the Prov . Grand Masters , thoughout the country , for the zealous and effectual assistance which the ) - alford to me in the government of the Craft . As 1 said a short time ago , . . . o J the prosperity of Masonry is only to be measured by its general prosperity throughout the
country , and that prosperity depends not so much upon central action as upon the prevalence in each locality of a truly Masonic spirit . That spirit is nourished in the first place , by those foundation stones of our Masonic building , the private lodges , and it is cemented and bound
together by the influence of the Provincial Grand Lodges , and by thoso who preside over the brethren . I ask you to drink to "The Health ol Prov . Grand Masters of Kngland , " and I couple with it the name of my right worshipful friend upon my left , Bro . Beach , the Prov . Grand
Master of Hampshire and the Isle of Wi ght , to whom I am bound to-night , in the presence of this Grand Lodge , to return my most sincere and heartfelt thanks for the very warm and hearty reception which he afforded to myself and other members of Grand Lodge on Tuesday at
our \ isit to Southampton . Bro . W . W . B . Beach : Accept my warm and earnest thanks for the very kind manner in which you , Most Worshipful Grand Master , have jiroposed , and you , brethren , have received this toast . I can assure the Grand Master that it is
onr pride , as it is our duty , to represent him to the extent of our ability in the provinces which he has assigned to us : and probably no Provincial Grand Master has such cause as I have to congratulate himself upon the visit of the ( irand Master in person , to encourage Freemasonry in
his province , and to animate the Masons by his example , and b y his presence . Lodges have increased in the provinces , as the Grand Master has said , but they have increased only because the members of the jiresent lodges have swelled beyond the fair proportions of its numbers , and I feel certain that the brethren who have
established and formed the constitutuent parts ofthe new lodges are sole } - impelled by the desire to extend the blessings of Freemasonry ( hear , hear ) . I will only say that it will be our duty to do our best to see that those principles are carried out , and I trust , in conclusion , thanking you most sincerely , that the Grand Master will be encouraged
Grand Festival.
by his reception in the south to think that among the lessons inculcated and practised by the brethren , loyalty to our Masonic chief is not neglected . The Grand Master : —I am almost afraid that you must by this time be pretty well tired of
the sound of my voice ( " No , no . " ) , but I am quite sure that you will , at all events , accord to me your approval , when you know that the toast that I am now about to submit to you is " Prosperity to the Masonic Charities . " We boast of the support which those great institutions
receive from our ancient Craft . No doubt much has been done , especiall y of late years , to increase the efficiency of those great charitable institutions ; but we must all remember this , that the very fact that we are accustomed , when we are talking- to those who are not Masons , to
point to those Charities as the proof of the value of Freemasonry , imposes upon us an everincreasing obligation to maintain those Charities in the utmost efficiency . Every such institution in this land is now submitted to searching examination on thc part of the public . If we boast
of our Charities , we may be sure that the outer world will look occasionally at tlieir real condition , and weigh well the support whicii they receive at our hands ; and it therefore becomes us not merely to toast them upon occasions like this , but to back up the sentiments that we are
ever ready to cheer by the substantial support which comes out of our pockets . I know well that you are read y to listen to ajijieals of that kind , and therefore it is without fear that this toast will prove a happy one , that I ask you to drink " Prosperity to the Masonic Charities . " 1 couple with it the name of Bro . M'Intyre .
Bro . vE . J . M'Intyre , Q . C . : I assure you it is a very pleasing act to return thanks for the toast which has just been proposed . The Masonic Charities have commended themselves to every brother of our Order , and every one knows that every sixpence that is advanced for
the good of the Charities is expended well in the education of the younger members , and for the relief , of suffering old members of the Craft . I do not know why my name has been coupled with this toast , because I have done very little indeed for the advancement of the
Charities of our Order . Perhaps it was meant as a hint that I ought to do more . Whether that be so or not I shall take the hint , and I shall do as much as I can : but I am quite certain of this , that there is no exordium , no peoration , and nothing needed to tell the . fraternal Order to whicii we belong , that we are bound to support the
Masonic Charities . They have been supported well , the ) ' will be supported , and I am quite certain that while we have a Grand Master who gives his great name to the support of our Charities , they will—what has been done before—go on prospering , and that we shall be able to keej ) up the old name that we have , and that the Masonic Charities shall never be neglected .
The Grand Master then propo-ed " the Health of the Stewards , " to which Bro . Nettleship , responded .
Ihe Grand Alaster having given the last toast " The Ladies , " the part } ' then repaired to the Temple , where a superb concert was given under the direction of Bro . Wilhelm Ganz , Grand Org . ;
and in whicii Mdlle . Carole , Miss Banks , Miss Alice Fairman , Bros . Geo . Perren , Carl Stepan , Caravoglia , and Miss Nannie E . Praeger , took jiart . Herr Hugo Heermann performed on the violin .
The arrangements of the evening were perfect , and reflected the greatest credit on the Grand Stewards , of whom the following is a list : — Bros . Wm . Henry Trego , President , i ; Wm . Fras . Nettleship , Treasurer , 14 ; Edward Lewis , Secrelan / , 8 ; George Scharf , F . S . A ., 2 ; W . Fredk .
Teevan , 4 ; Robert Percy Middlemist , 5 ; Hy . Enderby Paton , 6 ; Thos . Davies Sewell , 21 ; Fredk . Chas . Wm . Brandt , 2 . 3 ; Thos . Threlfall , 26 ; Frederick Clark , 29 ; William Whitley ,. 46 ; Geo . Hy . Ogston , 58 , Fras . Kerridge Munton ,
60 ; Lorenz Johannes 1 ' rost , 91 ; Thomas Walls Stephens , 99 ; Wm . Cunningham Glen , 197 ; Thomas Dolling Bolton , 2 5 9 . Bro . T . H . Edmands also gave valuable assistance in looking after the comfort ofthe Visitors . Mr . Goodchild was an able Toast Master .